Depression Is Pandemic In The United States - Part 1

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swat4christ

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#1
Depression Is Pandemic In The United States - Part 1​
 
DEPRESSION. For many, the word is ominous and frightening. It represents a stronghold, a trap, or pit that captures their entire being and spirals them downward into an abyss so dark that it cripples their ability to function normally. And for others, it means little more than a bout with the “Monday morning blues.”


It has been said that depression is so common in our society that it is known as the “common cold” of mental health. The reality is, nearly everyone will at sometime in their life be affected by depression; either their own or someone else’s they love. Millions of people suffer from major depression every year in the United States.

Let’s look at some startling statistics.

80 percent of people suffering depression are not currently receiving any help. Two primary reasons for this are embarrassment and expense.


15 percent of people suffering from depression will commit suicide.

Depression results in more lost time from work than almost any other disorder or illness, and costs employers in excess of 51 BILLION dollars per year in lost productivity, not including the high medical and pharmaceutical costs associated with depression.


Depression is common among CHRISTIAN people.


Studies show that depression is a major contributory factor to fatal coronary disease and that depression will be the 2nd largest killer after heart disease by the year 2020.


Recent studies show that anti-depressants work for only about 30 percent of the depressed population.


Studies show that traditional methods of behavioral therapy have an 80 percent relapse rate.

In view of these statistics, the question that must be asked and answered is, “What real hope exists for conquering depression in one’s life?” There isn’t just hope, but there is an absolute reality to recovery and victory.
 
Long-term victory over depression ultimately requires addressing the underlying causes, instead of merely treating the symptoms, such as what is commonly described as “chemical imbalance.” Even though we recognize that studies indicate a link between depression and certain neurochemicals (such as a surplus of noradrenaline, the presence of the stress hormone cortisol, or the depletion of serotonin), depression is still triggered by some traumatic or stressful event. Therefore, the underlying cause of depression is not a direct result of physiology or a genetic propensity to become depressed. Rather, the underlying cause of depression is a direct result of how we cope with the trauma or stressful event that carries with it the potential to trigger depression.


Simply stated, learned beliefs and behaviors play a more significant role in depression than does human physiology. One of the most important truths we must learn is that the stressful and traumatic events in our life do not cause depression. Rather, what we believe about those events determines how we emotionally cope, and whether or not depression results.


I will illustrate. A man receives a phone call from his wife, who is frantically requesting that he leave work and immediately rush to the hospital emergency room, as their young daughter has just collapsed on the playground and remains unconscious. Nearly panic-stricken by the news, the husband rushes to the hospital with his mind being flooded with self-defeating thoughts; thoughts like, “why is this happening to me?; why does life have to be so hard?; why doesn’t God love me?; why is God treating me so unfairly?” As fear and confusion builds in his mind, depressing thoughts begin to capture him as he approaches the hospital. As he runs into the emergency room, his wife rushes toward him, weeping. His heart leaps in his chest, as he now anticipates the worst.


Now, let’s pause the scene. What this man didn’t realize, was that his wife’s tears were not tears of sadness or tragedy, but tears of joy! Why? Because his daughter’s collapse on the playground was the result of nothing more than a minor blood sugar imbalance. However, because of the tests conducted at the hospital, the physicians discovered that his little girl had an aneurism, that if left undetected and untreated, would have likely resulted in her death. What he thought to be a curse, was actually a blessing. What he felt to be an unfair event in his life, turned out to be God showing him favor!


We have to learn to think differently, and therefore react differently, during the stressful and traumatic events that happen in our life, if we are to have the victory over the vicious cycle of depression.


The truth is, it is not the events in our life that shapes our life. Rather, it is how we see those events. Some call it attitude.


"Part 2" will soon follow.

 
 
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Slepsog4

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#2
Depression can be rooted in a number of things.

- Sleep deprivation
- Unbalanced diet
- Hormonal imbalance
- Incorrect use of medicine

Those can and should be addressed directly by self and/or with the help of a medical doctor.

- true guilt from besetting or hidden sin
- false guilt one has allowed another to put on them
- weak spiritually due to poor discipline in prayer, bible study, and fellowship with other believers
 
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